Automatic gas-igniter.



PATENTED OCT. 25, 1904.

' H. B. MGNULTY.

AUTOMATIC GAS IGNITER.

APPLICATION FILED 001". 22. 1903.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

NO MODEL.

1 a a 1 6 2 4 6 a: Q? '1 :E 1 1 I .H. 1 3 U I J v PATENTED OCT. 25,1904..

H. B. MGNULTY.

AUTOMATIC GAS IGNITER.

APPLIGATION FILED 001 22. 1903.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

NO MODEL.

hluenl'voz 67 i E z f I r flHozucl J No. 773,410. Patented October 251904.

UNITED STATES PATENT OEEIcE.

HARRY B. MONULTY, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ASSIGNOR TO THEMcNULTY INCANDESCENT GAS LIGHTER COMPANY, A CORPO- RATION OF THEDISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

AUTOMATIC GASrIGNl TER.

SPECIFICATIONforming part of Letters'Patent No. 773,410, dated October25, 1904.

Application filed October 22, 1903. Serial No. 178,092. (No model.)

" [LY/Z w7wm it y COW/067%! Referring to the drawings by numerals, 1

Be it known that I, HARRY B. McNULTY, a indicates any common form ofgas: supply citizen of the United States, residing at Washtube providedwith a suitable plug-valve 2, ington, in the District of Columbia, haveinarranged in a valve-casing 3, interposed in 5 vented certain new anduseful Improvements the length of said tube 1. The valve 2 may inAutomatic Gas-Igniters; and I do hereby be formed with alongitudinally-extending declare the following to be a full, clear, andprojecting rod 6L, extending through the cas- 5 5 exact description ofthe invention, such as ing 3 and normally retained against a bearingwillenable others skilled in the art to which" stud 5 by means of a spring 6coiled about it appertains to make and use the same. said rod andengaging a ring 7, carried by It is the common practice to revolve'thethe outer end thereof. The valve 2 is thus valve of a gas-light by meansof electricallypositively retained in its seat and is at the actuatedmechanism; but these structures ususame time left free to rotate foropening and ally involvea valveactuated bya step-by-step closing thepassage or tube 1. "Carried by 5 movement and an igniter producing aseries the tube 1 is a suitable base-plate 8, which of. sparks by avibrating movement tending plate carries a standard 9, supporting thestud 'to shake and jar the surrounding parts, 5. Mounted on thebase-plate 8 at opposite 5 wherefore it has been found difficult toautosides of the valve 2 are suitable electromagmatically ignite agas-lamp provided with a nets '10 10 and 11 11. WhileIhave illustrated2O mantle, and by the present improvements I two magnets-l0 and twomagnets 11, it will contemplate providing means for automaticbeunderstood that any number may be emally actuating the valve of agas-supply pipe ployed, as may be found desirable. 7 and lighting thecharge escaping therefrom The valve 2 is provided with a suitable stemwithout vibration of the parts. 12, carrying a crank 13, provided with a5 In carrying out the invention I propose to wrist-pin 14. A yoke 15surrounds the tube assemble electromagnets and armatures there- 1 abovethe upper ends of magnets 10 and 11, for in suchcorrelation to leversand a controland said yoke consists of a bar 16, extending ling-valve asto effect movement of such valve transversely across the tube 1 on twoopporelative to the particular magnet energized, site sides thereof andhaving their ends con- 3 suitable means being provided for igniting anected by armatures 17 and 18, the armature charge of gas. 17 beingpositioned to be-eifected by the flux Theinvention consists in certainnovel conof magnet 10 and the armature 18 being arstructions,combinations, and arrangements ranged just above the magnets 11. Eachbar of parts, as will be hereinafter fully described 16 is provided witha pivot-point 19, extend- 35 and claimed. ing inwardly from the centralportion there- In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 of and engaging anotch or indentation formed represents a longitudinal vertical centralsecin the tube 1, whereby the yoke 15 is sup- 5 tion taken through thecasing of an autoported and left free to swing vertically. An maticigniter embodying the features of the operating-rod 20 depends centrallyfrom the 4 present invention, illustrating the improved bar 16 on thatside of tube 1 corresponding elements in elevation, the circuitsbeingdiswith the crank 13, and said bar is formed at closedconventionally; Fig. 2 represents a its lower end with an elongatednotch or slot 9 horizontal transverse section taken on the 21, adaptedin operation to engage wrist-pin plane of line 2 20f Fig. 1. Fig. 3represents 14 for actuating the valve 2 relative to the 45 a viewsimilar to Fig. l of a slightly-modified swing of the yoke 15.

form of the same. Fig. 4 represents a hori- The plate 8 carries asuitable insulatingzontal transverse section taken on the plane block22, upon which block is arranged a plate of line 4 4 of Fig. 3. 23,carrying a lever 24, pivotally connected therewith. The lever 2A isprovided at its upper end with an insulating-block 25, formed with anopen slot or a longitudinal notch 26, inc-losing a pin 27, projectinglaterally from rod 20. Extending transversely of and connected to thelever 2A are contact-brushes 28 and 29, designed in operation to contactwith 3 posts 30 and 31, the post 31 extending through said block andbeing provided at its lower end with binding-nuts 32 for receiving theconductor 33, leading to the resistance 3A, grounded by a conductor 35on the tube 1. A conductor 36 leads from the plate 23 to and connectswith a binding-post 37, carried by andinsulated from a plate 8, aconductor 38 connecting said binding-post with any suitable form ofswitch 39. (Illustrated conventionally in the accompanying drawings.) Aconductor A0 is designed to connect the switch when closed with one poleof battery A1, the opposite pole of said battery being grounded by aconductor A2 on the tube 1. The conductor A3 connects with the post 30and with the windings of magnets 11, the opposite ends of said windingsbeing grounded by conductor AA on the plate 8.

A binding-post A5 is carried by plate 8 and insulated therefrom and isconnected with a conductor A6, extending to a switch A7, designed tocontact with wire A0. A conductor A8 connects with post A5 and extendsto one end of the windings of magnets 10, the opposite end of saidmagnet-windings being grounded on the plate 8 through a conductor A9.

In operation, the parts beingin the position illustrated in Fig. 1, theswitch 39 is closed, whereupon current starting from the battery A1flows through conductor AO, switch 39, and conductor 38, binding-post37, conductor 36, plate 22, lever 2A, brush 28, post 30, conductor A3,the winding of magnets 11, conductor AA, plate 8, tube 1, and conductorA2 to the battery. The flux of the magnets 11 thus energized aflectsarmature 18 and swings yoke 15 upon its pivots, whereby bar 20 is thrownfrom the position indicated in Fig. 1 to a corresponding incline on theopposite side of the axes of rotation of valve 2, whereby said valvethrough the movement of the crank 13 under the action of bar 20 isthrown to an open position, permitting a charge of gas to pass throughthe tube 1 to a burner or set of burners, where the same is electricallyignited, resulting from the following described opera tion: hen theparts are in the position indicated in Fig. 1, the brush 28 contactswith post 30; but when said parts are swung to the position justdescribed the brush 29 is caused to. contact with post 31 and thecontact between brush 28 and post 30 is broken, whereby the circuit willbe changed so that electricity flowing from battery A1 will move throughconductor A0, switch 39, conductor 38, binding-post 37, conductor 36,plate 23, lever 2A, brush 29, post 31, conductor 33, re-

sistance 3A, conductor 35, tube 1, and conductor A2 to the battery. Hereit is to be observed that the resistance 3A may be of any preferredmaterial; but 1 usually employ platinum and position the sameat asuitable point relative to the point of discharge of gas for ignitingthe same as soon as the platln um be-' comes incandescent, owing to theexcessive amperage forced theretln'ough. After the gas is lighted thesaid switch may be opened. \Vhen it is desired to extinguish the lightor lights supplied with gas through tube 1, it is only necessary toclose switch A7, whereupon current flowing from battery 1 throughconouctor A0 will move through switch A7, conductor A6, binding-post A5,conductor A8, the windings of magnets 10, conductor A9, plate 8, tube 1,and conductor A2 to the battery. The magnets thus energized effect thearmature 17 and swing the yoke 15 back to the position indicated in Fig.1, whereby the supply of gas through tube 1 is cut ofl.

In Figs. 3 and A of the accompanying drawings I have illustrated aslightly-modified form of the present improved structure, saidmodification consisting, chiefly, in the dispensing with one of thecontact-posts and the corresponding brush carried by the lever actuatedby the valve-operating bar. Referring to said figures in particular, 50indicates a suitable gas-supply tube having such supply controlled byvalve 51, rotatably mounted in its casing 52, interposed in the lengthof saidtube. The valve is operated in a manner precisely similar to theoperation of valve 2 and with corresponding elements, including thelever 53, pivoted to a contact-plate 5A, actuated by a bar 55, carriedby yoke The yoke 56 is controlled by sets of electromagnets 57 and 58.The plate 5A is carried by an insulating-block 57,supported by abaseplate 58', carried by tube 50. A post 59 rises from theinsulating-block 57 in position for contacting with a brush 60, carriedby lever 53. A binding-post 61 extends through block 57 and plate 58 andengages plate 5A, a conductor 62 engaging said binding-post andextending to a resistance 63, connected with a conductor 6A, grounded ontube 50. The resistance 63 is preferably a platinum igniter and inoperation is positioned in such relation to the discharge from tube 50as to ignite the same. A conductor 65 leads from conductor 62 to aswitch 66, which' switch is adapted to be operated for closing contactwith the conductor 67, leading to one pole of battery 68, the oppositepole of said battery being grounded by a conductor 69 on tube 50. A conduetor 7 O connects with post 59 and with one end of the windings ofmagnets 58, the opposite ends of said windings being grounded on theplate 58 through conductor 71. The conductor 72 connects one end of thewindings 57 with a binding-post 73, said bindingpost being connected bya conductor 7A with IIO a switch 75, adapted to close contact with conlated thereby for opening said valve, an electroductor 67. Then it isdesired to open the valve 51 and ignite the charge of gas passingthrough the tube 50, the switch 66 is closed, whereupon current flowingfrom battery 68 passes through conductor 67, switch 66, conductoranddivides upon arriving at the conductor 62, part of said currentpassing through resistance 63, conductor 64, tube 50, and conductor 69to the battery 68. However, the resistance 63 is as great or greaterthan the resistance of coils 58, whereby the greater portion of thecurrent will flow through conductor 62, binding-post 61, plate 54, lever53, brush 60, contact-postv 59, conductor 70, the windings of magnets58, conductor 71, plate 58, tube 50, conductor 69 to the battery. Themagnets 58 thus energized will cause the yoke 56 to swing and throw thelever 53 to one side, breaking contact between brush 60 and post 59,whereupon the valve 51 will be opened, owing to the action of rod 55,and the entire current will be caused to flow through conductor 62 andresistance 63 and back to the battery. The entire current passingthrough the resistance will raise the same to incandescence and ignitethe charge passing from tube 50, it being understood that the resistance63 may consist of as many platinum igniters as may be desired forigniting a cluster of lights or for igniting a single light, aspreferred. When it is desired to extinguish the lights supplied fromtube 50, it is only necessary to close switch 75, whereupon currentflows from battery 68 through conductor 67, switch 75, conductor 74,binding-post 73,. conductor 72, the windings of magnets 57, plate 58',tube 50, and conductor 69 to the battery. The magnets 57 thus energizedwill affect the yoke 56 to tilt or swing the same back to the positionformerly occupied and as illustrated in Fig. 3 of the drawings,whereupon the valve 51 will assume a closed position.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, anddesire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In an automatic igniter, the combination with a supply-tube and avalve controlling the passage of gas through the same, of anelectromagnet, means actuated thereby for opening said valve, anelectro-igniting device, a circuit for said electro-igniting device, andmeans for breaking the circuit of said magnet.

2. In an automatic igniter, the combination with a supply-tube and avalve carried thereby, of an electromagnet, means actuated thereby foropening said valve, an electric igniting device, a circuit for thesame,a circuit for said electromagnet including part of the circuit of saidigniting device, and means actuated by said magnet for breaking themagnet-circuit.

3. In an automatic igniting mechanism, the combination with asupply-tube and valve therefor, of an electromagnet, means actuignitingdevice, a circuit for said igniting device,and means actuated by saidmagnet for breaking the magnet-circuit and closing the igniting-devicecircuit.

4. In an automatic igniter, the combination with a supply-tube and avalve therefor, of an electromagnet, a circuit for said magnet, anarmature for said magnet, means actuated thereby for throwing saidvalve, a contactpost, brush, and lever interposed in the magnet-circuit,an electro-igniting device, a circuit therefor, and means actuated bysaid armature for moving said lever for breaking contact of said brushwith said post.

5. In an automatic igniter, the combination with a supply-tube and avalve therefor, of a pivotally-mounted armature, an electromagnet foractuating the same, means carried by said armature for throwing saidvalve, a contactpost, a brush normally engaging the same, a circuit forsaid magnet including said brush and post, electro-igniting means, acircuit therefor, and means actuated by said valve-throwing means forbreaking contact of said brush with said post.

6. In an automatic igniter, the combination with a supply-tube and avalve therefor, of an electromagnet, an armature actuated thereby, meansactuated by said armature for throwing said valve, contact-posts spacedapart, a brush designed to be brought into contact with said posts, anelectro-igniting device, a circuit therefor including one of said postsand said brush, a circuit for said magnet including the other post andthe brush, and means actuated by said armature for moving said brushfrom con-tact with one of said posts to contact with the other thereof.

7. In an automatic igniter, the combination with a supply-tube and avalve therefor, of an electromagnet, an armature therefor, meansactuated by said armature for throwing said valve, a brush, and meanscarried thereby engaging contacting means, a plurality of contacts forsaid brush, an electro-igniting device, a circuit for the same includingone of said contacts and said brush, a circuit for said electromagnetincluding the other contact and said brush, and means guiding said brushfrom one contact to the other under actuation by said armature.

' 8. In an automatic igniter, the combination with a supply-tube and avalve therefor, of an electromagnet, an armature therefor, a baractuated by said armature, means operated by said bar for throwing saidvalve, contactposts spaced'apart, a contact-brush designed to engagesaid posts, an electro-igniting-de- 1 9. In an automatic igniter, thecombination l with a supply-tube and a valve therefor, of anelectromagnet, an armature therefor, a bar actuated by said magnet,means actuated by said bar for throwing said valve, a plate, a leverpivoted to said plate, insulating means carried by said lever engagingsaid bar, a brush carried by said lever and extending transversely ofthe same, contact-posts adapted to be engaged by said brush, a circuitfor said electromagnet including one of said posts and said brush, anelectro-igniting device, and a circuit therefor including the other ofsaid posts and said brush.

10. In an automatic igniter,the combination with a supply-tube and avalve therefor, of a yoke pivotally carried by said supply-tube, meanscarried by said yoke for throwing said valve, eleetro means for swingingsaid yoke, electro-igniting means, a circuit for said electro-ignitingmeans, a circuit for said yokeactuating electro means, and meansoperated by said yoke for alternately making and breaking the saidcircuits.

11. In an igniting device, the combination with a pivotally-mountedarmature, of an electromagnet adapted to actuate said armature whenenergized, an electro-igniting device, a

circuit therefor, valve-operating means actuated by said armature, andmeans actuated by the armature for breaking the magnetcircuit andclosing the circuit ol the igniting device.

12. In an igniting mechanism, the combination with a plurality ofelectromagnets spaced apart, of an armature for each of said magnets, apivotally-mounted element connecting said armatures, an electro-ignitingdevice, and means operated by said pivottdly-mounted element't'orclosing the circuit of said electro-igniting device and breaking thecircuit of some of said magnets.

13. in an igniting mechanism, the combination with a supply-tube, of aframe pivoted thereto, a val veoperati1'1g arm extending from saidframe, a plurality of armatu res carried by the frame, an electromagnetfor each of said armatures adapted to be alternately energized forswinging said arm, an igniting device, and means actuated by said armfor energizing said igniting device.

In testimony whereof I. hereunto al'lix my signature in presence of twowitnesses.

HARRY B. M ONULTY.

Witnesses:

JOHN L. Fmc'rouim, EDWIN E. VROOMAN.

